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I’m new to deciphering the visual language of the spirit world. So, I’m putting it out to the people.

At the very first Yallourn North Ghost Tour, I was shown some photos on a phone that looked amazing. Of course, I was really jazzed that I might have found evidence of ghosts on my first tour. It had been a great night, everybody was really complimentary afterward and it was spine tingling delicious icing on the cake. I was a little bewildered because couldn’t pick reasons for ghosts to be in those places. (But maybe I’m over thinking it and the ghosts go where they please.) I received the photos by email and had a look tried to get some feedback on them, and was asked for photos of the area, which is a good question. So I’ve included those here for you to look through as well. (This is a picture heavy page). But it is hopefully everything you need to know to make up your mind about the photos.

(Right at the bottom are more photos, check them out I might have missed something, and I’d love your opinion.)

The first picture on the meme above is cropped, and the full picture of it looks like this: (without being stretched) It looks like a man wearing a hat, is it a trick of light or a spirit manifesting? This photo was taken on the War Memorial (made of rock) at Yallourn North, two women were taking pictures of the rock that was wet, and has a yellow light at the bottom, other photos on Haunted Hills Tours have photos of the memorial

The full file of the photo of the above picture

The second full file of the photo of the above picture

Is this a spirit photo? Taken on North Road, the place where I talk about the haunted houses in Yallourn North and a ghastly finding on Quarry Road.

This is a park on North Road, Yallourn North, that has a seat and plenty of space to play marbles as residents remember doing when they were kids. This is a daytime picture of the above possible or not ghost pic.

I’m not sure if this is a camera effect or orb? Another photo to debunk/prove anyone? (Thanks Rod for this photo)

The lighting here is awesome and we should remember those who keep us safe and expand to our other stories. So, many people in Yallourn North went to war, and some are mentioned in the stories that haunt us.

Is this a spirit photo? Taken on North Road, the place where I talk about the haunted houses in Yallourn North and a ghastly finding on Quarry Road.

The full file of the photo of the above picture

The full file of the photo of the above picture

The first picture on the meme above is cropped, and the full picture of it looks like this: (without being stretched) It looks like a man wearing a hat with a shirt, is it a trick of light or a spirit manifesting? This photo was taken on the War Memorial (that is made of rock) at Yallourn North, two ladies were taking pictures of the rock that was wet, and has a yellow light at the bottom, other photos on Hautned Hills Tours have photos of the memorial

If you’re entering the competition things you need to know apart from all those deets above!

Help me decipher these photos. Tell me, if the following pictures are spirits or ghosts or not in the comments below to win a Yallourn North Ghost Tour Ticket for the 13.03.15! Follow these steps to enter:

1. Write why its a ghost or not in the comments below
2. Confirm your entry here: http://tab.fo/9whf2fs (+ see rules)

We will pick the best comment on Sunday 8 March 2015, 7:50 pm and contact the winner through the email. Find detailed rules in the link above.

You can comment without going in the competition – as to enter the draw you must follow this link http://tab.fo/9whf2fs.

If you want more information, which no doubt you do, see my blog and read all about it first and then come back here and comment – http://hauntedhillstours.com/2015/02/27/ghost-or-not (that is this page – so clicking it will link you back here – but it’s on the Facebook post and I thought it prudent to record what I do fully)

2. Employees of Haunted Hills Tours or their family members or anyone else connected in any way with the competition or helping to set up the competition shall not be permitted to enter the competition.

3. There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.

4. Route to entry for the competition and details of how to enter: You must connect through Facebook for more information Closing date for entry will be 08.03.15. After this date the no further entries to the competition will be permitted. No responsibility can be accepted for entries not received for whatever reason. The rules of the competition and the prize for each winner are as follows: Further information can be found at: http://hauntedhillstours.com/

5. In order to win you must be able to attend the Ghost Tour on the 13.03.15 at 8pm in Yallourn North, Victoria.

6. The promoter reserves the right to cancel or amend the competition and these terms and conditions without notice in the event of a catastrophe, war, civil or military disturbance, act of God or any actual or anticipated breach of any applicable law or regulation or any other event outside of the promoter’s control. Any changes to the competition will be notified to entrants as soon as possible by the promoter. The promoter is not responsible for inaccurate prize details supplied to any entrant by any third party connected with this competition.

7. No cash alternative to the prizes will be offered. The prizes are not transferable. Prizes are subject to availability and we reserve the right to substitute any prize with another of equivalent value without giving notice. Winners will be chosen: as a result of a vote conducted via this application as measured and recorded by Tabfoundry’s software. The winner will be notified by email within 2 days of the closing date. If the winner cannot be contacted or do not claim the prize within 3 days of notification, we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and pick a replacement winner. The promoter will notify the winner when and where the prize can be collected. The promoter’s decision in respect of all matters to do with the competition will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.

8. By entering this competition, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions. The winner agrees to the use of his/her name and image in any publicity material.

Any personal data relating to the winner or any other entrants will be used solely in accordance with current Australian data protection legislation and will not be disclosed to a third party without the entrant’s prior consent. Entry into the competition will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.

9. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. You are providing your information to Haunted Hills Tours and not to any other party. The information provided will be used in conjunction with the following Privacy Policy

Would a rose be a sweet if named anything else? Shakespeare pondered. Would ghost tours be as scary without without a name like Haunted Hills preceding tours? It’s a gift from our area that is well documented in Gippsland’s history, that gave us the Haunted Hills. Whether it’s coal or something paranormal, spiritual or otherwise, its definitely stocked with stories.

Today in our busy, noisy world, thousands of people fly by the Haunted Hills, never hearing the disconcerting sound nor the unnerving sight of “ghosts of dead gums”. That is unless you drove through the Latrobe Valley after the 2014 bush fires that started in Herne’s Oak (the home of the Haunted Hills). The Princes Hwy was an eerie sight with burnt bark on trees that in the middle of summer had no leaves, it changed the landscape. Reviving fears of the day that flames threatened Morwell and then went into the Morwell Open Cut. It was a ghastly reminder of natures power and propensity for destruction, some of the trees today aren’t recovered fully.

Even though the Haunted Hills were renamed in 1939, Gippslanders never let go of the legend of the Haunted Hills, the name has been preserved for over 150 years. The first account I can find is an article from the Gippsland Times that recounted a Journey from Melbourne to Sale referred was in 1872, that they “rounded the haunted hill”.

These days the haunted hills are a different place to the thickly wooded hills covered in native hops. 1931 is the first recounting of the legend of the Haunted Hills. The legend that had run rife, as drovers taking cattle through to Melbourne had a predictable place they’d experience trouble on their route – the western slope of the Haunted Hills. The cattle would walk up the Eastern slope with no concerns, however, at the precipice of the Haunted Hills, the cattle would become agitated, stampeding off, many a cow was lost at this point in the journey to Melbourne.

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The experiences of people who do take time to wander or as they’re driving by with eyes wide open, they hear phantom brumby’s galloping, some people have seen a man standing by the side of the road, an eerie noise through the trees, the groaning noise under the ground and in places find their mobile reception is non-existent.

The sounds are dismissed as the coal, however, coal seams travel all the way through Gippsland – in all terrains. I’d love to speak to a geologist about the make up of the Haunted Hills. (The picture I’ve found isn’t very scientific, however it’s a start).

The first Yallourn North Ghost Tour. These photos were kindly provided by Rodney Lloyd. Thanks so much they’re great!

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It was a worrying start to the first Yallourn North Ghost Tour, on Friday the 13th of February, as the weather bureau issued a severe weather warning for most of Victoria, however in our little neck of the woods, the storms went around us, we got some rain, a little lightning (a flash came at the best time, as I’d announced I’d tell the legend of the Haunted Hills) and we could sometimes hear thunder. I was watching the rain radar for most of the afternoon, not that I’m worried about the rain, I have umbrellas.

The umbrella’s got a work out on the very first tour. They’re now drying on an impromptu drying rack. I was also told by some Yallourn North residents, that they saw the parade of umbrella’s making their way around town. I’m glad we’re very visible.

So far, all the feedback I’ve received has been positive including the very first review posted the day after. You can read more about that here. The demographic of the first tour was mostly made up of Latrobe Valley residents, plus four from out of the Latrobe Valley, including 4 from outside the Valley and one of those people was from another country. First tour and we’ve gone international! A smaller group of ghost tour participants went on to the Rossmore Hotel afterwards.

Thanks to the residents for letting us on their property and thanks to Lynton Gale for the photos.

In January, I ran a competition to decide the ghost whisperers’ costume. Originally, I was trying to go for dresses inspired by the 1910-1930 era which was the start of the Brown Coal Mine and Yallourn. I couldn’t really find any, and none of the choices were from this time period. It’s tough to find dresses from 1910-1930, that isn’t a flapper’s dress – its way to cold to wear that in winter!. I made up a competition and put it out to the people, asking for comments of the communities to pick their favourite.

“This dress is school marmish with blood red flowers – the sense of controlled horror & femme fatale, will suit the haunted hills”

These comments captured my imagination as I appreciate the film noir genre where the femme fatale character emerged. Film noir has a particular look, using shadows to change the everyday into something, shady. It’s the genre of most old school detective movies, as they investigate the shady side and disclosed side of life. Anyhow, how does all that relate to the ghost tour setup delivers this film noir look, while it’s a walking tour not a film. The elements of a film noir are all there as walk commences in the twilight setting the atmosphere, casting shadows on the otherwise beautiful town of Yallourn North. The stories shared throughout the tour, take us back in time and to the things we don’t really talk about as the history. You know, things the like the four skeleton’s found in a stones throw from Yallourn, the unsolved murders and the spirits unable to rest lacking justice. The tour covers the sly grog trade as well, according to an article by ancestory.com on Australia day, we like having criminals in our histories. The tour also covers creatures that were in Yallourn, like the Gippsland Lion. That’s the main elements of the ghost tour. Ghost tours don’t usually have a genre but, I would say most are a combination of film noir, horror, thriller and suspense.

“The controlled horror” I most certainly hope the horror is controlled. There are elements in the stories that may horrify people.

The dress has an aspect of looking like school Marm. Well, that comes with other aspect to ghost tours, history. To explore the spirits past some understanding of their life helps, which will be provided to you on the tour.

Note from Tegan: I really appreciate the help I received from Michelle through the Small Business Mentoring Service, and that it was so easily accessible thanks to Latrobe City Council, in conjunction with Business Victoria. I’m very thankful for all the assistance I’ve received. Whether encouragement, stories, historical assistance or on a personal level. Published with permission you can view the original here: http://www.sbms.org.au/haunted-hills-tours.html you can obtain a PDF version through this link as well.

Tegan Dawson’s business idea was literally scary … but that’s a good thing. And her dream of running Haunted Hills Tours is now a reality thanks partly to the Small Business Mentoring Service.

A keen story teller, Tegan continued her interest in amateur theatre and youth groups while working for eight years in community services with homeless people, the unemployed and those in trouble with the law.

After starting a Bachelor of Professional Writing and Public Relations, she decided she wanted to run a business combining her theatrical skills and fascination with the paranormal.

The result is Haunted Hills Tours, a walking ghost tour of Yallourn North, which was formerly known as the Old Brown Coal Mine, named after the historic mine. Tegan takes the 90-minute night tour of up to 30 people to a number of locations and uses her theatrical skills to reveal the town’s forgotten secrets, paranormal and macabre events.

“I think I’m offering the history we don’t tell,” she says. “I love ghost tours and we don’t have that many around here. I think it’s good for tourism and offers another form of entertainment for the locals.”

After writing a business plan, Tegan registered her business and investigated insurance. She also spoke to a number of people and looked at establishing general links within Yallourn North.

Tegan knew she had a fascinating idea, but wanted to ensure she covered all bases. So she spoke to Latrobe City Council, which was really helpful and gave her a free session with SBMS.

“I felt I needed a mentor as I’ve never run a business like this,” she says. “I’ve sold Tupperware and Lorraine Lea, however those businesses are completely different.”

SBMS is a non-government, non-profit organisation of volunteer expert mentors who give their time and experience to help small business. It is supported by Small Business Victoria, which refers clients to it. Tegan was matched with mentor Michelle Anderson.

Michelle has worked in tourism, business management, marketing and sales and specialises in business account management, marketing and promotions, sales, staff training and development. She has a consistent record of exceeding personal and corporate objectives as well as excellent interpersonal, customer service and organisational skills.

Tegan saw Michelle over two months and had two phone and face to face sessions. Mentoring is continuing.

Michelle provided Tegan with an overview of the Victorian Tourism Industry, regional tourism associations and local tourism associations and the associated links, such as visitor information centre roles, local tourism association key roles and functions.

As well, Michelle helped Tegan with:

Advice about print media versus radio advertising

Marketing materials and what works, for example postcards versus flyers

Local networks, providing her with a number of local people to speak to about her new venture

Advice on the use of social media for business, website content and online bookings.

Michelle also suggested that Tegan put together a five-year plan that captured business growth in each year. The Action Plan would involve finalising business registration and a business plan, speaking with local tourism associations and preparing a marketing plan for the first 12 months.

Since Tegan saw Michelle, profitability has improved and she has a better knowledge of the tourism sector and how each level of the industry fits. “She is more aware of the importance of local contacts, networking and what she needs to achieve in her first year,” Michelle says.

“Tegan now has the knowledge to ensure she gets the best from her new business venture. She will save valuable time and money in regards to how to spend her marketing dollars.

“She has already achieved a story in the local paper which has given her valuable exposure to the local community and generated interest in her business.”

Tegan said Michelle knew exactly what she needed. “She discussed how I progress with my business and which kinds of registrations I should look at,” Tegan says.

“I’m starting very locally although I haven’t restricted my website and I’ve had four hits from Canada. If people are planning a trip, I’d like them to think of Haunted Hills Tours as something they can do while in the Latrobe Valley.”

The business doesn’t have direct competition, but there is a ghost tour in nearby Walhalla and a Rosedale Haunted House. Haunted Hills Tours is unique as it uses location-based stories.

“There aren’t any tours covering the Yallourn North area, except for the Old Brown Coal Mine Museum and they focus more on the mainstream narrative for the area,” Tegan says.

Tegan says the mentoring helped her to forward plan better and make achievable goals. “I can also see when I’m achieving them,” he says.

As Haunted Hills Tours is a new business it is hard to quantify improvements, but Tegan says the mentoring has prepared her well for the challenges ahead. It also helped encourage her to “get out and talk to people” and secure the story in the local paper.

“Getting out and talking to people as well as the newspaper article by the Latrobe Valley Express has helped boost enquiries,” she says.

If she hadn’t found SBMS, Tegan says she would be “still without a clue about the tourism sector in Latrobe Valley, Gippsland, Victoria and Australia”. “I’d be making a lot more mistakes and working a lot harder to discover the information without this assistance,” she says.

Yallourn North offers things for you to do however you holiday.

Yallourn North is a historical town established in 1917 (as the Brown Coal Mine). It’s a quiet township with many parks and reserves.Walking around Yallourn North is lovely, and there are plaques to read and art to look at on Reserve St North Road, and Carmel Ave. It’s a hidden gem within the Latrobe Valley, and close to a lot of natural beauties, parks, lakes, and rivers.

Yallourn North has a recently expanded bus service, which now operates seven days a week. Located 20 minutes from Traralgon and under 10 minutes to Moe, it’s a lovely country town with easy access to city features such as cinema, restaurants, shopping, wineries and much more.

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Yallourn North has an active community who put on a variety of events throughout the year. In 2014 the Yallourn North Winter Market had everyone a buzz, and the Twilight Christmas Market offered 70 stalls, and drew over 1000 people. Yallourn North got into the Christmas Spirit, bringing the community together, providing a variety of activities, ranging from outdoor cinema to trivia. You can find out more about them through this link. The Latrobe City Council also keeps an events calendar of the local area that you can check out, and the town’s local website affords one too.

Parks and Natural Reserves

Natural parks surround Yallourn North, like Moondarra Park and Tyers Park – these are parks that have places to fish, to explore, walks and watch wildlife. Tyers Park has the Tyers River and a gorgeous natural gorge. Moondarra State Park is home to 16 different types of orchids, and other native vegetation and fauna. There is a free camping ground and other affordable camp grounds, places to fish and other nature type activities. The Park is accessible via Moe-Erica Road.

Located within the township are four several parks and reserves, one on Corner of Rossmore Av and Kelso Rd, Reserve St, Anderson St, and the corner of Low and East Road colloquially known as Grader Park. They’re a great distance for doing a park-hop (the kids version of a bar crawl). All within nice walking distance each other. Each of them are a little different, and two parks have lots of space to play games on the grass.
Halls Bay is part of Lake Narracan and accessible from Yallourn North’s Fernlea Road. It’s the home of the Latrobe Valley Water Skiing club. There is a boat ramp, for club members, as well as dedicated swimming areas. It’s a beautiful spot for walking and picnicking.

Fishing in Yallourn North

The nearby fishing holes are Anderson Creek, Lake Narracan, Latrobe River, Tanjil River, Tyers River, and Blue Rock Dam. With all these fishing locations so close to the one town, Yallourn North could be a great fisherman’s destination. Most commonly found are Redfin, Trout, Carp, and Eels.

Things to do on Reserve Street, Yallourn North

Reserve St, Yallourn North, has a shopping district that has an op-shop, hairdresser, medical centre, and Polly’s fish and chip shop. All set next to the visitor information shelter within Lions Park that sports a covered play area, BBQ, and various sitting areas. Next to the park is the Yallourn North Bowls Club.

There is a Skate Park and BMX track at the corner of Third and Reserve St. The cricket pitch is opposite the shops, and next door to the Yallourn North Primary school. The Tennis courts and two historical churches are also on this road, which leads to North Road, where the Post Office, Foodworks, and Newsagent is conveniently located.

School Ave, Yallourn North

Behind the school is School Ave and the outdoor pool that is open during summer from 3 p.m.- 5 p.m. And on really hot days 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Hungry?

The Rossmore Hotel is usually open for the evening meal, some of the local sporting legends that adorn their walls. It’s got a lovely local vibe, with a traditional pub look. The Angler’s club also meets at the Rossmore Hotel. I bet they know how to get fish from the local creeks, rivers, dams and lakes.

Polly’s, Yallourn North’s local Fish and Chip shop, open during the day (except Sunday when it opens at 4:30 p.m.) near Lion’s park, with playground and BBQ.

Haunted Hills Tours, is an up and coming Ghost Tour experience in Yallourn North, revealing ghost stories from the Brown Coal Mine and Yallourn Townships.

Come and join us under the cloak of darkness to hear our tales of the history and the paranormal activity that occurred, way back when, in the townships and the surrounding areas.

The Ghost Whisperer (Tour Guide/Owner) is Tegan Dawson. Tegan Dawson is heading into her final year of university, studying professional communications. She has a passion for the underdog, story telling and a love of history, the strange, and macabre. She has attended many ghost tours. She enjoys telling the stories that we don’t tell. The stories that haunt us.

Haunted Hills Tours aims to create a must-see tourist attraction by providing quality experiences through oral story telling.Haunted Hills Tours vision is to grow in to a dynamic tourism business that contributes to the diversity of our area.Our core values are truth, revealing true historical events and genuine paranormal experiences. Creativity continuing to develop and push the boundaries to excel in experiential tourism. Respect is the platform that everything grows, from how the subjects of the story are handled through to the towns we tour. Haunted Hills Tours delight in historical research and hearing people’s experiences. We can cater for 30 people on a tour, this gives everybody the ability to hear the stories that haunt us.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a ghost tour?

A ghost tour is an experienced based walking tour of Yallourn North. The tour guide reveals the long forgotten secrets of the town. Points of interest include paranormal and macabre events. But mostly, it’s about the history we don’t relish. It’s something we’re quietly curious about. That’s the basics of a ghost tour. Join us to discover more.

Will I have a paranormal encounter?

A paranormal encounter is not guaranteed. We do our best to ensure you have an experience discovering lots of interesting things about Yallourn and the Brown Coal Mine.

Do ghost tours operate in the rain?

Yes, we have umbrellas to share. We suggest you wear weather appropriate shoes and clothes for your own comfort.

Do ghost tours operate during bush-fires?

We will take advice from the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and let you know, via email and on our social media pages. If we do cancel due to a bush-fire, we will refund pre-purchased tickets.

Is there a lot of walking?

Yes. Yallourn North is on a gentle slope. There are uneven surfaces. If you have accessibility issues issues please let us know, we’d love to ensure your experience is a great one.

How long does the ghost tour last?

It’s an hour and half. This is the length of time the material and walking to the different locations will take.

What do I need to wear?

Clothes, please. Weather appropriate is a bonus. As the tours run at night time it can get quite chilly even if the day was warm. Winter is cold (June-August).

What happens if I need to leave the tour early?

We hope that doesn’t happen. We’ll direct you back to the car park. There is no refund.

Can I smoke on the ghost tour?

No, thank-you. We might miss an apparition.

Can I drink alcohol on the tour?

We want to explore the spirits of the past, and hear about the sly grog trade in Yallourn. We don’t need present day examples and it isn’t tolerated on the tour for your safety and that of the others on the tour.

I’m trialing a new booking site (as Ecwid, is supposed to be used for selling a products not exactly all I need for collecting bookings, and with ghost tours and as it grows I want more mobility for my customers to book) At the moment it takes you to another site outside of WordPress- Bookeo which is authorised by Tegan Dawson of Haunted Hills Tours.

I hope this will make it easier to complete bookings and giving us all the information we need, and a better way to communicate with my customers, if there are anythings that need to be communicated.

You can select at the top of the page are selectors for Adult ($25.00), Concession/pension/student ($20.00), child (8-15 years) ($20.00) (OBCM/YNAG members relate to the Yallourn North Historical Society and town improvement group).

Fill in all the names of the people attending the tour. (click next)

I require your name, email address and phone number. (Click next)

It sends you through to PayPal to finalise the payment.

You will receive a booking confirmation and a request to join my mailing list.

She is interested in ghost stories and stories that aren’t usually told and celebrated. The people who get forgotten in a barrage of process, and in tumultuous situations.
I want to hear stories about real people, I want to tell stories about real people. We leave a mark on the world, there are things that are still not yet completely explained even if you don’t believe it’s spiritual.

This year she is finishing her third year at uni, and starting Haunted Hills Tours.

Yallourn North had a wide variety of of criminals (just like any were else), some were more akin to slap stick comedians, others were not as funny and there were some serious criminals – although no one from the Brown Coal Mine area were sentenced to hang until dead.

There are rumours some of the Kelly gang spent time in the hills around Yallourn North while hiding from the police. The walking tour will take you to Yallourn North’s historical law and order locations, and some of the places crimes occurred, we’ll journey through the criminal history, and end with the criminal history of the Haunted Hills. Many people say that the legend of the Haunted Hills was sent around by sly grog traders and other criminals who wanted to be left in peace… Join us the crime tour to discover and join us on a ghost tour to compare and decide for yourself.

Join us as we walk around the murky past of Yallourn North. Read about the the History of the Brown Coal Mine here.

Duration 1 hour and half

Tickets $25, or $20 concession, family rate available (2 adults, 2 children – teenagers are probably a better audience due to the crimes covered).

Like this:

The Latrobe Valley Christmas is a summer Christmas. We ironically sing, play and listen to songs about the snow glistening and sleigh bells ringing… That doesn’t happen here. The things that tell us Christmas is drawing near is freshly cut grass scenting the air, the native plants, and other fragrant plants blooming and wafting along the warm lazy breeze.

Instead of Sleigh bells the whoop-whoop of local CFA trucks sirens herald the handing out lollies, and bike bells ringing with kids flying past. Laughter and happy voices are heard passing by. The local councils start putting up Christmas Decorations in the main street, while businesses fill their shop windows with Christmas Spirit. Houses start lighting up with Christmas lights.

The hum of lawn mowers is constant during the extend daylight hours. Counting down the days until Father Christmas arrives. Gifts of chocolate are bought at the last-minute or on the cooler days, or we take the esky to do our shop.

In the Latrobe Valley we’ll all celebrate the day differently, some families will head to the beach, eating sliced fruit and cold meats. While others will take to the bush and camp the week starting just before Christmas getting home just after New Years, they’ll eat BBQ, and bask in the serenity near a river and spend the time fishing or Four Wheel Driving or reading – both families will probably play some form of cricket. We have Lake Narracan that is a beautiful spot to camp and enjoy the weather, swimming or boating, or just walking and exploring. There is also Hazelwood Pondage which is warm all year round, in case you get a freak cool Christmas.

There are other families who do the full three course Christmas Dinner that you’d find in European homes. Despite the heat and effort, they’ll do it year after year. Some people will volunteer their time to put on dinners for the less fortunate in our communities, while others will be stuck watching corny Christmas movies alone. A few of our communities put on Christmas Carols, there are tons of markets coming into Christmas, there aren’t as many school Christmas plays anymore.

In 2006, while bush fires threatened Mount Baw Baw, Santa provided relief and sprinkled us with cooler weather and even snow in some places that provided much-needed relief to crews fighting fires who were away from home. The families who enjoy woolen jumper competitions and full roast dinners with Plum Pudding didn’t seem so silly that year as snow did fall.

Asking around what people find tells them Christmas is coming they mostly said advertising and marketing everywhere, but bursting out of their mail boxes. Others said they didn’t look forward to Christmas as Krumpus (is the anti-Santa) shows up every year, they find Krumpus usually disguises himself as a rello of some kind.

Gippsland buzzes as Christmas approaches and the Latrobe Valley is no different. We have so many vibrant communities, with so many things to do.

If you haven’t visited us before at Christmas, visit us. Alternatively, come home for Christmas.

Will you be home for Christmas – the photograph is taken from the end of John St, Yallourn North

The Latrobe Valley has a great many things to offer for those wanting a country Christmas with access to city perks.

Festivals

Yallourn North Christmas Festival is running from the 1st of December until the 12th of December 2015.

As part of this Haunted Hills Tours is running a Christmas Light and History Tour – on the 10th of December 2015 at 9pm.

Shopping

Moe has a great shopping district with ample parking, for you to shop, sit in the sun soak up the atmosphere, and cafes to eat anything your heart desires from fish and chips, restaurants, bakeries and more.

Things to do

We’re running many tours over summer, and the Christmas period. We also take group bookings of six or more.

There are lots of houses dressed up for Christmas, the Latrobe Valley Express has an article on how to best photograph them. http://www.latrobevalleyexpress.com.au/story/2755067/how-to-take-the-best-christmas-lights-photos/?cs=24

This year, I launched the first Yallourn North Ghost Tour on the a stormy moody Firday the 13th of February, the first for the year. This November is the third Friday the 13th for the year. I’ll have completed my fourth exam early that day, and be ready to immerse myself and you, in the tales of the paranormal in Yallourn North. What a way to wind down with completing my third year of university and running a business that is getting quite a buzz.

I was thinking that my luck had run out when I saw the exam timetable posted and my last exam for Friday the 13th of November, when earlier this year I’d plan to run tours every spooky day in 2015.

Some of the things I uncovered about the beliefs around Friday the 13th are listed below.

Did anyone change their bed today? The lore says you will have bad dreams.

Did any cut their nails today? The rhyme says you cut them for sorrow.

Did anyone start a business on Friday the 13th? Oh me. They say, I’ll have immense bad luck, collapse and bankruptcy.

In 1306 the Knights of the Templar were rounded up on a Friday the 13th, they were tortured.

Some of the lore around this is that in Rome, a gathering of 12 witches was normal however if a 13 appeared the 13th witch would be considered the devil.

If you like simple numerology Jack the Ripper had 13 letters in his name as does Charles Manson and other infamous people, it’s said to be the devils luck, it is interesting that fluffy bunnies also has 13 numbers and in Australia we sent out rabbit hunting parties regularly, in the 90’s we poisoned them with myximotisis they really had the run of devils luck.

In Yallourn, 1953 there was a terrible explosion at the briquette plant, the cause wasn’t known. 1 person was killed and 13 injured.

The worst event that struck this area on a Friday the 13th was in 1933 on January Friday the 13th. A fire raged across the state, it killed 100 people. One of those people were from the Yallourn district trying to flee the fire, he realised he couldn’t out run the flames and threw himself into a ditch. Where he was found later, dead.

Traralgon is a major town in the Latrobe Valley, it was originally called Hobsons Run, because it was owned by a man named Edward Hobson. It is a lively town today, with shopping, bars, food, and paranormal sightings.

Traralgon was a major stop for the bullock drovers, the decision to put the railway through here is what made Traralgon the bustling hub it is today, as a major stop over getting the items from the Port of Sale and Port Albert through in to Gippsland.

The format is a walking tour of Traralgon, going to public spaces that have a tragic past and there are spirits remaining. It also covers a places we cannot walk too. There are quite a few ghostly tales, we walk for about five minute intervals between stories.

Join us for a guided walking tour back-in-time a chance to experience history, the paranormal and bizarre. Be drawn back with tales from Traralgon and surrounds.